King’s Cross refurbishment: changing the face of rail travel

26 June 2012

King’s Cross is one of London’s most historic stations and was named after a huge monument of King George IV, which stood where the station is now. The railway station opened in 1852 and is now proud to welcome visitors once again following a rigorous redevelopment project, taking seven years to complete and costing an eye-watering 500 million pounds.

One of the most obvious changes to the station is the new Western Departures Concourse. The station now operates with a one-way system to improve the flow of passengers arriving and departing. When alighting from trains to London, passengers exit through the Arrivals Concourse and when catching a train, passengers approach their relevant platforms via the Western Departures Concourse.

This ‘one-way’ traffic eliminates the unpleasant jostling caused by the station’s previous layout. Passengers move in one direction only, no longer having to hustle their way among other commuters trying to reach their relevant destinations.

This smooth passage affords travellers a more relaxing and enjoyable experience, helping to make sure that rail travel becomes the transport of choice. A new First Class Lounge has also been constructed, with the aim of improving customer comfort. Free tea and coffee is available to passengers, as well as unlimited use of free Wi-Fi. You’ll be able to relax in comfortable surroundings before making your onward journey.

A new Ticket Office has also been installed with the aim of meeting travellers’ needs in a timely and fuss-free fashion. You can take advantage of special offers or plan your travel needs in advance and benefit from a discount train ticket.

The savings you’ll inevitably make can be better spent elsewhere. With the new retail outlets and restaurants in the Western Concourse, you’ll be spoilt for shopping choice. You can shop up a storm at some of the best-loved brands around, a handful of which are exclusively situated at King’s Cross Station.

If you find you’re flagging, you can always put a little more pep in your shopping step and take time to rejuvenate. Pull up a chair or grab something on the go. Whether you’re after a quick snack or something more substantial, there are a variety of well-known and popular eateries from which to choose.

The refurbishment of King’s Cross and the improvement to its amenities help to ensure that the traveller has an easier and more enjoyable experience. A trip to London needn’t be exclusively business but it should always be a pleasure.